Kiplingcotes Derby

Today was the annual Kiplingcotes Derby. It is a 4 mile race run through farm tracks and fields and is open to anyone without a sense of self preservation!

The Kiplingcotes (also spelt Kipling Cotes) horse race is the oldest in England having taken place every year since 1519. It is run every spring. One quirk of the ancient rules means the second place rider often receives more in prize money than the winner. It does not look like most modern racecourses. A clerk is paid 5 shillings (25p) annually for maintaining it. During the harsh winter of 1947 no one was daring enough to take part and so one local farmer took it upon himself to lead a lone horse around the course, ensuring that the historic race would survive .

I have put other shots I took in my Blipfolio, but something about this lady galloping past in her finery riding side-saddle captured the typical bonkers Britishness of the event.

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on yesterdays somewhat serious blip..they were all really appreciated and I am pleased to report that the campaign has raised over £1m for cancer charities in the last 24hours.